Bound by the Alpha Twins

Chapter 4

Chapter 4: The Calm Before the Storm

Rihanna’s POV

The air feels heavy when I wake up the next morning. It's one of those days where you just know something's going to happen. I feel it in my bones. Maybe it’s because of the tension left behind after last night’s encounter with Troy, or maybe it’s because I still can’t shake the memory of Roy’s intense gaze, the way he’d looked at me like I was some kind of prize. Either way, the day ahead feels like a ticking clock, waiting for something to explode.

I roll out of bed, pulling on my hoodie and sweatpants. I don’t bother with anything else — the way I look doesn’t matter today. I’m too distracted by everything that’s happened over the last few days to care about my appearance.

I grab my phone, checking for any messages. There’s nothing from my mom; she’s probably at work again. But there’s one text from Clara.

Clara: “So... what happened last night? I saw you talking to Troy. Everything good?”

I don’t bother answering. What can I say? That Troy is suddenly playing some game with me? That Roy’s still on my mind? That they kissed me under the mistletoe, and now I’m stuck somewhere between rage and confusion? I don’t even know how to explain it.

I stuff my phone in my pocket and head downstairs, grabbing a granola bar before I leave for school.

---

The walk to school is cold, the wind biting at my skin. I’m used to the chill, but it seems worse today, like the universe is warning me that something big is coming. I’m not sure why I feel this way — maybe it’s the way I keep thinking about Troy and Roy, like they’re shadows following me, or maybe it’s the way they’ve completely invaded my space. Either way, I can’t shake the feeling.

As I turn the corner onto the main street, I see them. Roy and Troy. They’re standing at the front of the school, talking and laughing, surrounded by their usual group. Of course, everyone’s staring. The Blackwood twins are like royalty at this school, and I’m just... the girl who got caught in their web.

I keep my head down, hoping they won’t notice me, but that’s like hoping a storm won’t hit. Troy looks up the moment I approach, and his eyes lock on mine with that familiar gleam.

“Hey, Calloway,” he calls out, his voice teasing, like we’ve been friends for years.

I stop in my tracks, the cold air biting at my skin, but I don’t turn around. Not yet. I’m not letting him get under my skin.

“Not in the mood for you today, Troy,” I say, my voice steady.

He steps closer, his boots crunching on the ground, and I feel a shiver run down my spine. “Why? You don’t like me anymore?” His grin is playful, but I can see the edge behind it.

“Not really,” I mutter, still refusing to look at him. I try to move past him, but he steps into my path, blocking my way.

“Come on, Calloway. Don’t be like that.” Troy tilts his head, eyes flashing with something I can’t quite name. “You know you don’t mean it.”

“I do,” I snap, finally meeting his eyes. “You think you can just play around with me? You and your brother? It’s not happening.”

There’s a brief flicker of something in Troy’s eyes — surprise, maybe — before he shrugs, unfazed. “You’re a tough one, huh?”

I don’t answer, just push past him with my shoulders squared. I can feel his gaze on my back as I head into the school.

---

The day drags on. Every class, every conversation feels like a blur. I can’t focus. I keep thinking about Roy and Troy. I hear their names in the hallway, see the way everyone looks at them. The Blackwood twins, the alphas. The ones who can have anything they want.

And then there’s me. The girl who doesn’t want any part of their games.

At lunch, Clara spots me right away, waving me over to the table. She’s already halfway through a salad when I sit down, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

“You’re looking extra... intense today. What happened this morning?” she asks, taking another bite of her food.

I drop my bag onto the table and run a hand through my hair. “Troy’s being weird.”

“How so?” she asks, her eyebrows raised.

“Just... I don’t know,” I mutter. “He keeps messing with me. Yesterday, he followed me home. Today, he wouldn’t leave me alone. It’s like he’s testing me, but I don’t get it.”

Clara leans back in her chair, tapping her fingers on the table. “Okay, that’s... not normal. I mean, the guy is weird, but that’s a bit much.”

“I know, right? It’s like he thinks he can just... show up and do whatever he wants,” I say, frustration bubbling up. “And don’t even get me started on Roy.”

“Roy? What about him?” Clara’s eyes widen.

“He kissed me,” I mutter, lowering my voice.

Clara blinks at me. “What?”

“Under the mistletoe,” I say, feeling my face heat up just thinking about it. “But it was... different. Like he knew what he was doing. Like he was claiming me or something.”

Clara stares at me, wide-eyed. “Okay, now this is new. Are you seriously telling me you’ve been kissed by both Blackwood twins and you’re just... sitting here?”

“I didn’t ask for it,” I snap. “And I’m not interested. I just want them to leave me alone.”

“You sure about that?” she asks, a smirk tugging at her lips.

“Clara.”

“Fine, fine,” she says, holding up her hands in mock surrender. “But if you ever change your mind, let me know. I’m all about drama, especially when it involves those two.”

I roll my eyes, but deep down, I know Clara’s right. There’s something about Roy and Troy that I can’t shake. Maybe it’s the way they’re always there, or maybe it’s because they keep crossing boundaries I never thought I’d have to set.

---

The rest of the day passes in a haze of half-hearted conversations and classwork I can barely focus on. When the bell finally rings, signaling the end of the school day, I grab my stuff quickly, eager to get out of there. The last thing I want is to see either of the Blackwood twins again.

I head to my locker, trying to stay as invisible as possible, but then I hear a voice behind me.

“Rihanna.”

I freeze. It’s Roy’s voice. I recognize it immediately.

I don’t turn around. “What do you want, Blackwood?”

There’s a pause before he speaks again, his tone low and steady. “I think we need to talk.”

I close my locker with a snap, turning to face him. He’s standing a few feet away, his dark hair ruffled slightly, his gray eyes intense.

“I don’t think we have anything to talk about,” I say, my voice cool.

“You sure about that?” He steps closer, his presence dominating the space around us. “Because I think you’re wrong. I think we have a lot to talk about.”

I narrow my eyes. “Like what?”

“Like why you keep pushing me and Troy away,” he says, his voice soft but full of authority. “We’re not going anywhere, Rihanna. You’re part of this now, whether you like it or not.”

I swallow, my pulse speeding up. “You’re insane if you think I’m going to be some... some plaything for you and your brother.”

He smirks, stepping even closer. “Maybe. But I’m not giving up, and neither is Troy. You’re going to have to make a choice eventually.”

I take a step back, my chest tight. “And what’s that choice?”

Roy’s smirk widens. “You’ll see.”

Before I can respond, he turns and walks away, his boots tapping against the floor like a countdown. My heart races, but I don’t let myself react.

Not yet.

I’m not giving in. I won’t.

But the truth is, I don’t know how much longer I can hold out.